30 Essential Tools, Books, and Resources for Instructional Designers and E-Learning Professionals in 2025

2025 is here with us, bringing new opportunities and challenges for Instructional Designers and e-learning professionals. The right tools and resources can make all the difference, helping you save time, improve learner engagement, and tackle common challenges in this fast-evolving field. In this post,

I've curated 30 must-have resources for instructional designers and e-learning professionals, ranging from cutting-edge tools to insightful books and platforms. Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into any specific resource or recommendations tailored to your needs!

1. Articulate 360

Link: https://articulate.com

• Description: A comprehensive suite of tools for e-learning development, including Storyline, Rise, and more.
• Use Case: Ideal for creating interactive and responsive online courses with minimal coding skills.

2. Adobe Captivate

Link: https://www.adobe.com/products/captivate.html

• Description: A robust authoring tool for creating simulations, responsive e-learning, and video-based learning.
• Use Case: Best for advanced developers designing highly interactive content.

3. Camtasia

Link: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html

• Description: A video editing tool for instructional designers to create screen recordings and tutorials.
• Use Case: Perfect for creating engaging software tutorials and training videos.

4. Vyond

Link: https://www.vyond.com/

• Description: A tool for creating animated videos for storytelling and training purposes.
• Use Case: Great for adding animated explainer videos to courses.

5. Canva

Link: https://www.canva.com/

• Description: A user-friendly graphic design tool with templates for e-learning visuals.
• Use Case: Useful for creating professional-looking course assets quickly.

6. LinkedIn Learning

Link: https://www.dhirubhai.net/learning/

• Description: An extensive library of professional courses.
• Use Case: Useful for upskilling in instructional design, graphic design, and more.

7. The Accidental Instructional Designer

by Cammy Bean

Get it here : https://amzn.to/49V7JrM

• Description: A book offering practical advice for becoming an effective instructional designer.
• Use Case: A must-read for beginners entering the field.

8. xAPI Cohort

Link: https://xapicohort.com/

• Description: A free, community-driven program to learn about the Experience API.
• Use Case: For professionals looking to understand advanced learning analytics.

9. Kahoot!

Link: https://kahoot.com/

• Description: A platform for creating interactive quizzes and games.
• Use Case: Engage learners with gamified quizzes during training sessions.

10. Trello

Link: https://trello.com/

• Description: A project management tool for organizing tasks and collaborating with teams.
• Use Case: Streamline course development workflows.

11. Snagit

Link: https://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.html

• Description: A screen capture and annotation tool.
• Use Case: Great for creating quick guides and visual aids.

12. Powtoon

Link: https://www.powtoon.com/

• Description: An animated video creation platform.
• Use Case: For making fun and engaging microlearning videos.

13. Miro

Link: https://miro.com/

• Description: A virtual whiteboard for brainstorming and collaboration.
• Use Case: Facilitate team collaboration and design storyboards.

14. SCORM Cloud

Link: https://scorm.com/scorm-solved/scorm-cloud/

• Description: A platform for testing SCORM-compliant courses.
• Use Case: Validate your e-learning courses before deploying them.

15. Moodle

Link: https://moodle.org/

• Description: An open-source learning management system.
• Use Case: Host and deliver e-learning content at scale.

16. Slack Link: https://slack.com/

• Description: A communication platform for teams.
• Use Case: Foster collaboration among instructional design teams.

17. Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/

• Description: A video conferencing tool.
• Use Case: Host virtual training sessions and webinars.

18. Totara Learn Link: https://www.totaralearning.com/

• Description: A customizable LMS built for corporate training.
• Use Case: Ideal for managing compliance training programs.

19. Storyline Essentials by Ashley Chiasson Link: https://www.amazon.com/

• Description: A comprehensive guide to mastering Articulate Storyline.
• Use Case: Step-by-step learning for creating professional e-learning content.

20. Google Workspace Link: https://workspace.google.com/

• Description: A suite of cloud-based productivity tools.
• Use Case: Streamline project documentation and communication.

21. Rise.com Link: https://rise.com/

• Description: A simple platform for creating and delivering online training.
• Use Case: Perfect for creating responsive courses quickly.

22. H5P Link: https://h5p.org/

• Description: A tool for creating interactive HTML5 content.
• Use Case: Add interactivity to your courses with drag-and-drop, quizzes, and more.

23. Grammarly Link: https://www.grammarly.com/

• Description: A writing assistant that ensures error-free content.
• Use Case: Polish your e-learning scripts and documentation.

24. Coursera Link: https://www.coursera.org/

• Description: A platform offering courses on instructional design and e-learning.
• Use Case: Gain certifications and stay updated on trends.

25. Lectora Inspire Link: https://www.trivantis.com/products/lectora-inspire/

• Description: An authoring tool for creating mobile-friendly courses.
• Use Case: Build accessible content for diverse audiences.

26. Procreate Link: https://procreate.art/

• Description: A digital illustration app for creating visuals.
• Use Case: Enhance e-learning courses with custom illustrations.

27. Slack Communities Link: https://slack.com/

• Description: Join communities for networking and learning.
• Use Case: Connect with peers and mentors in the instructional design field.

28. Instructional Design for eLearning by Marina Arshavskiy Link: https://www.amazon.com/

• Description: A detailed book on designing effective e-learning courses.
• Use Case: Learn practical tips and frameworks.

29. Inkscape Link: https://inkscape.org/

• Description: A free vector graphics editor.
• Use Case: Design custom graphics for e-learning content.

30. Zapier Link: https://zapier.com/

• Description: Automate workflows by connecting different apps.
• Use Case: Simplify repetitive tasks like content publishing and LMS updates.